Half to julian t



No. 618,764; Patented 1an. 3|, |899. n. w. ANDERSON.

SPRING ACTUATED FISH HOOK.

(Application filed Oct. 31, 1898.)

(No Model.)

Ntra *rss ATENT FICE DAVID TILEY ANDERSON, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO JULIAN T. VRIGHT, OF SAME PLACE.

SPRING-ACTUATED FISH-HOOK.

v SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 618,764, dated January 31, 1899.

Application led October 3l, 1898. Serial No. 695,122. (No model.)

To if/ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID WILEY ANDER- SON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of Henrico and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Spring-Actuated Fish-Hooks, of which the following isa specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in fish-hooks of that class denominated spripg actuatec fish-hooks; and the object is to provide an implement or device of the kind named which is of simple construction, efticient in operation, and certain in attaining` the purposes for which intended.

I attain the purposes of my invention by the constructions and combinations of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a front view in elevation showing the hook-bars expanded into the positions they assume when released from the engagement of the trigger-piece. Fig. 2 is a side view showing the hooks set and the trigger-piece in engagement therewith. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the hook in set condition. Fig. 4 is a detail View showing the substitution of cords for the wire links and the trigger reversed.

A designates the hooks, composed of a single piece of suitable spring-metal wire formed at its loop or bend with a coiled eye l, constituting the spring which actuates to throw the hooks apart when released from the trigger. At the base of the eye 1 the wires are preferably crossed, as at 2, and extended a suitable distance, substantially as shown, and are then bent and directed inward, as at 3, and again cross each other, and each wire then formed with parallel angular enlargements 4 4X, the side bars of which angular portion constitute the seat with which the trigger engages to lock the hooks in closed and set position, and below the parts 4 4X the Shanks are extended a suitable and desired distance and terminate in hooks 5 5X, which lap each other when in a set position and the points of which are directed outward and provided with barbs 6 on their outer end portions, substantially as shown in the drawings.

In the eye l is loosely secured a ring 7, to which is loosely connected the lower end of a link 8, carrying in its other and face end a ring 9, to which the line ct is properly connected and secured.

The trigger 10 consists of a suitable piece of metal having the ends bent down at suitable angles to the main piece or bar, the bar being made of such length as to reach over the angular enlarged portions 4 4X and engage these parts with its bent-down ends when the hooks are closed to hold them in such closed or set position. At the middle of the trigger-bar is formed an eye 10X, preferably at the end of a short extension on the bar, to provide a leverage which insures the disengagement of the trigger. To the eye of the trigger is connected a link 1l, having its other and upper end connected to the ring 9, as indicated in the drawings. The link or strand 8 is preferably made somewhat longer than the link or strand l1, connected to the trigger, so that when the sinker is suspended from its connection the line, link 8, and the sinker will be in a substantially straight line and the bars or Shanks of thehooks standing somewhat tilted, with the hooked end the higher, as indicated in Fig. 2, in which position the strain of the line on the trigger link or strand is removed or is not sufcient to disengage the trigger until some force is exerted on the hooks, and the resistance of the line then exerts itself upon the trigger-link and the trigger is released. From the ring 7 or from the coiled eye lis suspended the sinker 12, any suitable cord or strand being used for the suspension means.

It will readily be perceived that cords or strands may be substituted as the connectingpieces for the wire links 8 and 11 and the object and function of these elements be operatively accomplished.

Under ordinary usage the engagement of the trigger arranged as seen in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings is sufficient to hold the hooks in locked and set position; but if it be desired to increase the rigidity of the trigger engagement the trigger is arranged in reversed position, as shown in Fig. 4, and the result will be accomplished, because this position of the trigger makes the force of the IOO spring-coil greater at the point of engagement.

My invention is particularly useful in still and deep Water fishing and for use on trolllines, but may be operatively used in swift Water with hand-lines. The sinker being suspended from the upper end of the hook exerts no force on the operative parts of the hook and may be of any weight suited to the water in which used, and the line or strand being directly connected to the hook by the link or fastened to the ring in the coiled eye is not liable to abrasion by sliding through eyes or parts of the hook.

In using my new hook the bait is suitably secured to the hooks, which before or after the connection of the bait are lapped or brought together, the trigger is applied, and the device is ready for use. The action is apparent. When the fish takes the bait in its mouth and pulls on the hook, the trigger will be released and the spring force of the hooks opens them with the increased probability that the iish will be doubly secured.

What I claim is- 1. A spring-actuated fish-hook, comprising a single wire bent down on itself and having a spring-coil at one end, hooks at the other end, and intermediate angular enlargements constituting a trigger-seat, a trigger having bent-down ends to straddle and engage the Wires at the enlargements therein, a connecting-piece between the trigger and the line,

and a connecting-piece between the springcoil of the hook and the line.

2. A spring-actuated fish-hook, comprising a single wire bent down on itself and formed with a spring-coil at one end, the wire being crossed and recrossed below said coil and formed with enlarged angular portions below the second crossing, constituting a triggerseat, yand having terminal hooks, a trigger having bent-down ends to engage the wires at the said enlargements, a connecting-piece between the trigger and the line, and a connecting-piece between the spring and the line.

3. A spring-actuated fish-hook, comprising a single Wire bent down upon itself, and formed with a spring-coil at one end, and hooks at the other, and an angular enlargement having' parallel sides to form a triggerseat, a trigger formed with bent-down ends to engage the parallel sides of the angular enlargement and hold the hooks in set position, and having an extension in the middle to provide a leverage, a connecting-piece having one end secured to the lever on the trigger, a connecting-piece having one end connected to the spring-coil, and a line-ring uniting the other and upper ends of the connectin g-pieces.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence 0f two Witnesses.

DAVID WILEY ANDERSON. Witnesses:

A. R. HARWOOD, JAMES H. CRENsHAW. 

